You found your dream job, and you are ready to make the move and get started on the career you have been building towards. You are ready for your new big adventure in a city full of culture, bustle, and opportunity. But finding a place to live has burst your bubble. Not knowing anyone in this new city, how will you know where to look to find the best neighborhood for the best price close to your new job?

There is a new trend in housing called co-living. It is becoming a more popular option for young professionals and college students as they move into bigger, more expensive cities. Co-living can be beneficial for just about any age, but it is especially used by college students looking for UW off campus housing and young adults just starting out. Each space has a shared kitchen and living area, but you will have your own bedroom and bathroom for the privacy you need.

Benefits of Co-living

If you are a college student and a dorm room is not an option for you, co-living with other students is a great opportunity for you to rent a place at a lower cost and still have your own private space for studying. As a young professional just starting out, choosing a co-living community can give you opportunities you might not otherwise get by living alone. Some things to think about when looking at this new living arrangement might be:

1. Meeting people with similar interests. You will reside with others who share your interests, as most co-living communities will match your personality with your co-residents.
2. Engagement of residents in the community. Co-living communities encourage residents to meet each other through events and gatherings.
3. Makes moving around easy. If your job entails moving around often, this is a great way to be able to relocate easily without having to do a new search in a new city and re-establish utilities, internet hook up, and rental deposits.
4. Security of having friends in a new city. Co-living gives you instant friends to explore your new city with and provides you the security and safety of having each other to rely on in times of need.
5. If your work requires telecommuting, then you have your home and your workspace all in one location.

Cost Savings of Co-living

As a college student or a young professional, or even an older adult looking to cut costs and live simply, co-living is something to consider when trying to cut down on expenses. Some cost savings benefits to consider are below:

1. If your job is mobile, you won’t be paying for initial deposits on rental space or on utilities each time you move.
2. Generally, co-living communities are less expensive to rent than an apartment or a house.
3. Shared utilities and other amenities like cable, laundry, security, and housecleaning cut down monthly expenditures.
4. These spaces are furnished. There is no need to buy furniture or pay for a moving truck to move your furnishings.

Moving to a new city is exciting, but can also be difficult and take a lot of time to get established. Considering co-living is a great way to get engaged in your community, meet new people, and have the comfort you need when starting your big adventure.